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Orlando Mayor Speaks After Nightclub Shooting

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer offered words of encouragement to those who witnessed the mass shooting that left around 50 dead and dozens more injured. (Published Sunday, June 12, 2016)

Well-wishers from around the world are sending messages of love and support to the city of Orlando, Florida, where at least 49 people were killed and dozens more wounded in a shooting early Sunday morning at a nightclub.

President Barack Obama ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday in honor of the victims, calling it "an especially heartbreaking day" for the LGBT community.

"Say a prayer for them, say a prayer for their families. May God give them the strength to bear the unbearable," he said.

Pulse Is More Than a Nightclub, But 'Place of Solidarity': Obama

President Barack Obama spoke about the deadly shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, calling Pulse more than a night club, but "a place of solidarity, empowerment, where people have come together, to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their civil rights."

(Published Sunday, June 12, 2016)

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, both presumptive presidential nominees, both Florida senators and many more elected officials and advocates have spoken or released statements about the shooting, the deadliest in U.S. history.

Americans from all over the country spoke up as well, expressing their solidarity on social media and by donating money or blood.

The owner of Pulse, the nightclub shuttered in the deadly attack, reached out with condolences.

"Like everyone in the country, I am devastated about the horrific events that have taken place today. Pulse, and the men and women who work there, have been my family for nearly 15 years. From the beginning, Pulse has served as a place of love and acceptance for the LGBTQ community. I want to express my profound sadness and condolences to all who have lost loved ones. Please know that my grief and heart are with you," Barbara Poma said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those affected by this horrific tragedy. We are a strong and resilient state and we will devote every resource available to assist with the shooting in Orlando," Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement.

Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement that "the violence is not normal, and the targeting of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans is evil and abhorrent."

In a statement, French President Francois Hollande said he "condemns with horror" the mass killing in Florida and "expresses the full support of France and the French with America's authorities and its people in this difficult time."

Hundreds of people have written on the Facebook page of the club, called Pulse, in downtown Orlando. Many replied to two posts the club put online – a brief, frightening message around the time of the shooting saying "Everyone get out of pulse," and another, four hours later, that said it would provide more information when it was available and thanking for the messages that came in.

Photo credit: NBC

"Please keep everyone in your prayers as we work through this tragic event. Thank you for your thoughts and love," the club wrote around 6 a.m.

Equality Florida, the state's largest civil rights organization for the LGBT community, said in a statement Sunday it was "reeling from the tragic news."

"We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again destroyed lives in our state and in our country," the organization said.

People from the U.S. and abroad wrote in — the shooting occurred as many were asleep in America — like Carley Swan, who said "Sending Prayers from Australia, hearing this down here."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer spoke at a press conference Sunday morning, thanking first responders, hospitals and law enforcement for their work and noting the need to support the victims.
Witness Account from Pulse Nightclub in Orlando

Christopher Hansen describes what he did to help save someone's life.

(Published Sunday, June 12, 2016)

"Tonight we had a crime that will have a lasting effect on our community. We need to stand strong, we need to be supportive of the victims and their families," Dyer said.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted: "Our prayers are with those injured and killed early this morning in horrifying act of terror in Orlando."

House Speaker Paul Ryan issued a statement after ordering that flags above the Capitol be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims:

"It is horrifying to see so many innocent lives cut short by such cowardice. Tonight, and in the long days ahead, we will grieve with the families. We will thank the heroes. We will hope for a swift recovery for the injured," Ryan said.

At NASCAR's race in Michigan on Sunday, Father Geoff Rose of St Francis de Sales High School said, "We begin with our thoughts and prayers for the Orlando community and all of those affected by the tragic events this early morning."

Many prominent athletes took to social media in the wake of the incident.

Shaquille O'Neal, who began his storied career with the Orlando Magic and is the most prominent star to ever play in the city, tweeted "My thoughts & prayers go out to my Orlando LGBT community brothers and sister during this senseless act of violence. Love is Love!"

Current Magic guard Shabazz Napier tweeted, "What has to plague the mind of any person to commit such heinous crimes? Life is so beautiful but we always tear it apart. #PrayforOrlando."

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in NFL history, wrote a short essay on Instagram, stating in part that "50 people lost their lives because of a hateful coward with a gun. Let this hateful act of terror of the #LGBTQ community be a wake up call for America. Men and women of all races, ages, and sexual orientation are being slaughtered because of hate crimes. How many more must die from a hate crime? We need to create awareness to ALL that hate is not the foundation of our nation. Friends DO NOT let this coward put fear into your hearts!!!"

WNBA star Brittney Griner, also using the hashtag #prayfororlando, posted a picture of five hearts in the colors of the LGBT flag, with a red heart split in half.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, asked about the suspension of Warriors forward Draymond Green for Game 5 of the NBA Finals because of a flagrant foul he committed against James in Game 4, began his answer by instead offering condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the shooting.

"I think it's another hit for us as Americans and what we have to deal with in our world today, and it definitely puts things in perspective on basketball. For myself, it's just a small matter of what reality really is.